The second-round draft pick out of Florida State could be activated from the 49ers Non-Football Injury List after Week 6. If so, Carradine would start practicing and the 49ers would then have 21 days to decide whether to activate the rookie defensive lineman or place him on Injured Reserve.

If Carradine has any say in the matter, it sounds like he’ll be joining the 49ers soon.

The 6-foot-4, 273-pound defensive lineman, selected No. 40 overall, feels like his injured right knee is stable enough to play. Carradine had the ACL in his right knee repaired late last season, but was able to run six months after the injury and reportedly ran a 4.75, 40-yard dash at his pro day workout.

Carradine has taken time to rebuild strength in his knee under the watch of San Francisco’s medical and strength staffs.

“It feels great,” said Carradine, who recorded 11 sacks in 11 games before his senior season was cut short for the Seminoles last November. “I’m ready to get out on the field, perform and practice, get back to doing what I usually do.”

Carradine credited veterans Justin Smith and Ray McDonald for helping him learn San Francisco's defensive system. The rookie defensive lineman believes the physical side of the game won’t be as hard as handling the mental aspects of playing in the NFL.